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Eppalock

VIC 3551 • Victoria

746
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
84.61 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
RuralLakesidePeacefulSemi-Rural
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About Eppalock

Eppalock is a rural locality surrounding Lake Eppalock, a significant water storage reservoir on the Campaspe River, located approximately 20 kilometres east of Bendigo in central Victoria. Covering around 85 square kilometres, the locality is lightly populated with approximately 746 residents living among farming properties, rural-residential blocks, and land surrounding the reservoir. The area falls within the Greater Bendigo City Council area and shares a postcode with parts of greater Bendigo.

Lake Eppalock is the defining feature of the locality — a popular destination for boating, fishing, camping, and water sports that draws visitors from across the region. Built in the 1960s to supply water to Bendigo and surrounding communities, the reservoir forms a scenic centrepiece for the surrounding rural land. Residents enjoy a peaceful country lifestyle with Bendigo's full range of services — including shopping, hospitals, and V/Line train connections to Melbourne — accessible within a 20 to 30 minute drive.

Eppalock falls under postcode 3551 and is governed by the Greater Bendigo Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of Nicholls, while state elections fall under the Ripon (Western Victoria) electorate.

📍 Location

State
Victoria
Postcode
3551
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Greater Bendigo
Federal Electorate
Nicholls
State Electorate
Ripon (Western Victoria)
Type
Locality
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-36.78°, 144.46°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
84.61 km²
Population Density
9 /km²
Elevation
0m

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💰 Income

ATO taxable income Postcode 3551

Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 3551, comparing the 2019–20 and 2023–24 financial years.

Median 2019–20
$49,802
Median 2023–24
$60,155
▲ 20.8% increase
Average taxable income (2023–24)
$71,144

Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 3551; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Epsom
18 km
N/A (car required)

Bus Services

  • Limited regional bus — Bendigo 25–35 min

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
145 km
By Train
Drive to Epsom or Bendigo (~20–25 min), then V/Line to Southern Cross (~1 hr 40 min)
By Car (Peak)
1.75–2.25 hours via Calder Freeway
By Car (Off-Peak)
1.5–2 hours via Calder Freeway

🛣️ Bendigo is the regional hub with hospitals, university, and frequent rail to Melbourne; Calder Freeway provides direct road access

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

Rural lakeside locality with no commercial centre; all errands require a car, with Bendigo being the nearest service hub

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
746
▲ 0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest rates for the Greater Bendigo Local Government Area, which contains Eppalock. Rates are per 100,000 residents for the year ending September 2025; trends compare 2 and 10 year periods.

Break & enter (dwelling)
329.4 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 33.1%
Motor vehicle theft
258.8 / 100k
2yr Up 62.3% 10yr Up 25.3%
Non-FV assault
400.8 / 100k
2yr Up 21.7% 10yr Up 66.0%
Robbery (unarmed)
4.7 / 100k
2yr Up 192.2% 10yr Up 32.1%
Steal from vehicle
636.9 / 100k
2yr Down 15.4% 10yr Stable
View all offence subgroups for Greater Bendigo →

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Eppalock known for? +

Eppalock is best known for Lake Eppalock, a large water storage reservoir on the Campaspe River that is popular for boating, fishing, camping, and water sports. The lake was built in the 1960s to supply water to Bendigo and surrounding towns, and has since become a recreational focal point for the region.

How far is Eppalock from Melbourne? +

Eppalock is approximately 145 kilometres north-west of Melbourne via the Calder Freeway, making it roughly a 1.5 to 2 hour drive depending on traffic.

Does Eppalock have public transport? +

There is no direct public transport to Eppalock. The nearest V/Line train stations are at Epsom and Bendigo, approximately 18–25 kilometres to the west, offering regular services to Melbourne's Southern Cross Station in about 1 hour and 40 minutes.

What is the population of Eppalock? +

According to the 2021 Census, Eppalock has a population of approximately 746 residents across around 236 dwellings, spread across an 85 square kilometre rural area east of Bendigo.

Is Eppalock a good place to live? +

Eppalock is well suited to those seeking a peaceful rural lifestyle with access to a large regional city. Bendigo's shops, schools, hospital, and train links are within a short drive, while the lakeside setting and open farmland provide a relaxed, outdoor-oriented lifestyle.

What is the postcode for Eppalock? +

Eppalock's postcode is 3551, which is shared with parts of the greater Bendigo area in central Victoria.

Is Eppalock a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Eppalock is part of the Greater Bendigo LGA — see the Crime Statistics section on this page for the latest recorded offence rates per 100,000 residents, along with 2-year and 10-year trends.